.308 or 6.5x55 ?

[anweis]

If there is any hope that practice ammo (mil surplus) will decrease in price, i would go with a .308. Surplus ammo is somewhat more expensive these days ($0.50 per round) than in the past. Cheap surplus ammo is good for practice.

On the other hand, i would prefer the 6.5x55 for it's lower recoil. With the prices the way they are now, it does not really matter if i buy 6.5 or .308 ammo for $15 a box.

So, what do you think. Will we see any cheaper mil surplus ammo in the future?   

I will hunt deer with either of the calibers. 

I did have a lot of fun in the past reloading, but i don't have the time and the will to do it in the future. I would rather get a case of inexpensive practice ammo and a $40 box of good cartridges for hunting.

[james]

I have both and reload for both.  To get the maximum performance from the 6.5x55 you need to reload. Many bullet weights are not readily available off the shelf.  My Rem 308 shoots factory ammo almost as good as my reloads and numerous loads are available.  If you are not going to reload, I would go with the .308.

[Sweetwater]

James +1 for exactly the same reasons - and I also have both and reload for both. Probably put 100 rounds through the 6.5 for every 308 round fired - guess the 6.5 is my preference. Can't remember the date on the last box of factory ammo purchased for either rifle - it's been a spell.

Regards,
Sweetwater

[safetysheriff]

i'd go with the .308 and handload for it.    with a decent 150 or 165 gr' bullet you can take large black bear or hogs.   to reduce recoil and still shoot a real deer-slayer you could load flat-nosed .30-30 bullets to approx' 2600 fps' and you'll have a bomb.   that's an old jack o'connor trick from his "Getting the Range'' column back in the 1960's.    at that lower velocity you will somewhat reduce recoil as well.   

hold the rifle tightly to your shoulder and you'll reduce the 'felt' recoil.    it'll make shooting easier on your scope, rings, and mount(s) as well.    it'll keep the rifle from 'getting a run' at your shoulder, and it'll reduce recoil velocity.    it helps me, especially from a bench.

take care,

ss'   

[Cheesehead]

There are over 100 different factory loading for the 308, not to mention mil surplus, almost a no brainer.

Cheese

[Mikey]

anweis:  I would agree with Cheesehead and the other 308 fans except that I am not a fan of the 308.  I much prefer the 6.5x55 Swede.  The 6.5 Swede can do anything the 308 does and often does it better, and with lower recoil.

James and Sweetwater are right on the money regarding handloading the 6.5 but, if you don't handload you can find great deals on the Sellier and Bellot 6.5 Swede in a 131 gn soft point, or even possibly the PRVI Partisan ammo.  In addition, 6.5x55 surplus is available from some of the major dealers and Mid-South, one of the Graybeard sponsors may carry it in bulk.

Many 6.5 shooters love their Swedish Mausers, but Remingtons, Winchesters and CZs are also chambered in that caliber. 

I just don't see anything super special about the 308 and the 6.5 Swede has been a european do it all cartridge since its inception, including Moose, Elk, hog and Bear.  JMTCW.  Mikey.

[Cheesehead]

Mikey,

You are right about the 308 not being super special. I own some rifles in 308 and 6.5x55. They are both very good medium power rounds.

There are almost as many rifle options as ammo option for the 308. It is something to consider. The 6.5 does not have much on the 308 ballistically speaking, they are so close.

Cheese

[wareagleguy]

I have owned several 308s over the years and just bought a new 308 Remington which I believe is going to be a fine rifle.  I have only owned one 6.5 x 55.  With that I would say the 6.5 x 55 is hands down the best rifle I have had the pleasure to shoot.  I took two deer this year with it at over 400 yards.  Using 100gr Nosler Partitions this rifle will kill the deer.  Now, this is with reloaded rounds that out-shoot any factory I have tried.  If I was NOT reloading then I would say stick with the 308.

My 6.5x55 is a CZ 550 which you can get in 308.  I would suggest looking into these rifles cause they shoot!!!

[Don Fischer]

Everybody talks about ammunition options. I don't get that? I used a 308 for a lot of years, don't remember how many. I used the same load all those years too! I love my 6.5x55 but I have only one load I use out of it now. All those options don't really mean a lot if your only going to use one or two. My 25-06 has been stuck wwith the same load for about 15 yrs now, same with my 30-06. I do flof around on my 243 tho. Can't decide if I like the 75gr v-max or the 87gr spire point best.

[Cheesehead]

Maybe, if a person was new to the 308 Winchester they could choose from many factory loadings to suit their particular needs and stick with that choice forever. Or, use a different factory loading every week for two years straight.

Cheese

[Sweetwater]

Don - AMEN! My Dad was always preaching to me about my 'various' loads for each rifle. As always, I have learned to listen to his counsel. Now, each rifle only gets "played with" until the load gets dialed in for the rifle's purpose. Most of them have the same job. Put meat in the freezer, which they do as long as I do my part. Don't need a lot of variety of loads, just one that works - all the time. Then, you always know how it will react at various distances and varying circumstances. The 6.5x55 was my very first hunting rifle, military surplus and a fine rifle, though Dad thought it was very much used up before we got it. Nevertheless, it planted a seed in my and established a set of loading dies that never got traded off with the rifle. Now, many years late, I have another, in a Ruger77 Mark II. I've not had it long, but do look forward to rewarding days at the range and in the field - after the weather breaks. I did get out that old box of reloading dies (they are marked $5.95 and 1958) and have loaded up a fresh batch of 120gr Sierra Pro Hunters. We are ready to dial in that new Swift 1.5x-4.5x scope that adorns it.

Regards,
Sweetwater

[nomosendero]

Everybody talks about ammunition options. I don't get that? I used a 308 for a lot of years, don't remember how many. I used the same load all those years too! I love my 6.5x55 but I have only one load I use out of it now. All those options don't really mean a lot if your only going to use one or two. My 25-06 has been stuck wwith the same load for about 15 yrs now, same with my 30-06. I do flof around on my 243 tho. Can't decide if I like the 75gr v-max or the 87gr spire point best.

I run a similar pattern AFTER I find a load that: (a.) my gun likes & (b.) serves the purpose of what I want the given load to do. I am blessed
with having several rifles & I like to have usually 1 load per rifle.

If I had only 2 or 3 centerfire rifles & shot factory ammo, the variety & quantity of ammo on the shelves would be important to me. Also, the more
types of ammo available, the more likely there is a load that will do well for your needs & that your rifle likes as well. If this applies to you then I would go along with Cheesehead & buy a 308. Both handle roughly the same chores, the 308 hits maybe a little harder, both have good SD bullets for penetration & the Swede can shoot a little flatter in a modern bolt gun with reloads. Both are known for extreme accuracy.

I found a way to head off this little nightmare. I bought my Wife a great shooting 6.5X55 & I have a nice M700VS in 308. I have to check the 6.5 every year & every once in a while I will shoot it if my Wife isn't hunting that day. Problem solved!!

[beemanbeme]

Don is rite. I've a 30-06 that has never had anything except 165's thru it and a .300 that has only fired 200's, etc. 
If you're talking economy, you'll often see after season specials at Wally's, et al, on left over hunting ammo. .308 and such. You could stock up on 2 or 3 boxes for hunting and then buy milsup for plinking. I don't remember seeing that much 6.5 stuff.

[Cheesehead]

I am trying to understand how fewer choices could be better. I dont get that? Could someone exp[lain that to me?

Cheese

[wareagleguy]

Cheese,
I agree totally.  What if you have a rifle that is hard to find a load?  More choices will allow you to hopefully find the load the rifle will shoot.  Again, if you go with the 6.5 and DON'T reload your choices from factory ammo for load testing is limited.  If you decide you will ever reload then I would go all out for the 6.5 

[saltydog]

Good advice above - There is no inexpensive practice ammo. Why are you limiting choice to the Swede and 308 ? There are many other viable calibers out there in the deer rifle category - I would at least include the 270 WIN and 30:06 as options and perhaps the 264 WIN MAG if you want a high performance 6.5. Any of the 30 calibers give you greater choice of factory ammo - if you pick a 30:06 or 308 you will find a wide range of ammo available at typically lower prices than 6.5 ammo. The 6.5's are coming on in popularity during this media cycle which will increase the choice of bullets for re-loaders. You will enjoy shooting a 6.5 more than the 30's but recoil isn't that significant unless you are shooting a very light rifle or spend alot of time shooting at the range.

[Qaz]

The more ammo choices a particular round has the easier it is to find one that shoots well. If you have only a few choices and non shoot particularly well in your gun then you are SOL or you will need to start reloading. I will say this, hand loading is not always the answer, I have seen hand loads that were not as good as the Hornady custom line, because hand loading also takes some skills that a lot of people don't have, but think they do. 

[wareagleguy]

I must agree that I have the most trouble matching the Hornady ammo with my reloads.  I can usually come close or match accuracy but never velocity.

[boaman88]

You can do better than $15 a box on either cartridge for practice ammo if you buy online from places like Aim Surplus or Sportsmans Guide. There is currently ammo for both in the $10 a box range. Just don't expect the surplus and factory rounds designed for hunting to match each other. Your more likely to find 308 cheap that can be used both for practice and hunting. Its simply more common here in the US.

[Freezer]

   When I hunt I take two rifles.  The second is always a 308 because I can get ammo anywhere.  Though three of my four other rifles are not exotic calibers you won't find them in a gas station.  Both calibers are great.  I like the soft kicking 6.5's and thier high bullet co-effecent.  A 130gr 6.5 will perform like a 180gr .308.  As for hand loading both are strieght forward and you can make that 6.5 meet it's true potential.  So if you have only one gun make it a common cartridge.  If you have a rifle in a common cartridge (270, 06, 308 etc..)  Have some fun and get the 6.5x55.

[Coyote Hunter]

I am trying to understand how fewer choices could be better. I dont get that? Could someone exp[lain that to me?

Cheese

OK. I’ll give it a go…

1.   Limited choices are better because if they don’t work in your rifle or for your application or budget you’re stuck with them.  Oh, wait, that doesn’t work very well…

2.   Limited choices are better because it makes the decision process easier.  OK, that works…

Federal offers SIXTEEN .308 Win loads and  ONE 6.5x55 load.
At Remington it is ELEVEN to ONE. 
At Winchester it is NINE to ONE. 
At Hornady it is THIRTEEN to ONE.

That is FORTY NINE .308 Win loads to FOUR 6.5x55 loads.  The .308 Win loads vary from inexpensive cup-and-core to ultra premium bullets, from cheap plinking loads to match loads, from Managed Recoil to High Energy loads, with bullet weights from 125 grains to 180 grains and velocities from 2570fps to 3000fps.  The 6.5x55 loads all feature 140 grain cup-and-core Soft Point bullets at velocities from 2525fps to 2650fps.

A person could grow old trying to decide which .308 Win load to use.

[anweis]

Thanks. I am convinced by the availability of factory loads. It will be a .308.

[Sweet 6.5]

The 6.5x55 loads all feature 140 grain cup-and-core Soft Point bullets at velocities from 2525fps to 2650fps.

You don't mess with perfection!!

[lilabner]

The 6.5x55 is a gun nut's cartridge. Why? Factory ammunition is wimpy so the old rifles (the cartridge came out in 1893)won't blow up in your face. You must load your own to get high velocities. Loading your own, even if you are already a handloader, presents some problems. First, the case head size of brass made in the U.S. is smaller than the 6.5x55 chamber. Better get the good, high priced Lapua, Norma or German brass to get a good fit and best quality ammunition. Also, you'll need a larger shell holder than 30-06 size, which fits the undersized US brass. Finally, you have to dig around to find good handloading data for a modern rifle if that's what you are shooting. Is if worth the trouble? I think so. I bought a T3 Hunter in 6.5x55 and it is a great rifle. Soft recoil, accurate, lightweight -a real mountain rifle.

[Mikey]

lilabner:  I agree with your feelings on reloading the 6.5x55.  One thing I have found out is that most of the European ammo I shoot through my 6.5s is made to European specs, which includes the use of European primers.  I found out that American standard size primers do not fit the European brass and the euro brass, being made to euro specs, does not fit American sized shell holders. I went through this with the 8mms.  I was bummed becuase I had saved all this brass and now couldn't use it.  But, the day was saved when I ordered Remington brass and worked up some of the finest, most accurate loads for the 8mm I have ever shot.

reloading the 6.5 is the same.  Either you get European primers and euro sized shell holders or go American.  One great thing about the 6.5 Swede, as you may know, is that this is one round that does not need to be hot loaded - you can go with euro factory velocities and have one of the finest cartridges you could ever hope to hunt with.  JMTCW.  Mikey.

[flyboy]

You want an ELEGANT solution in .308? The Mannlicher stocked Ruger International with 20" barrel, and a properly proportioned scope is a class act, imho.  Now if they only offered it in 6.5 X55, with a 22" barrel..... But, I dream!

How many loads do we need for either the .308 or 6.5?   ONE!  But where's the fun in that?  It do engender many interesting conversations..."There I was, all alone, surrounded by at LEAST 250 rabid, man eating Elk!....."  My trusty (fill in favorite caliber) was loaded with  the Thor's Hammer 137.5 gr. spitzer  sparked by 44gr.of  Loudenboomer powder with SpitzenSparken primers."   

Oh, the MEMORIES!

[lucky guy]

I went through the process and ended up with a 308.  They're both great rounds.  I do shoot different loads rather than just one though.  I shoot handloaded Barnes 110gr hp's at about 3200 fps for varmints (and antelope this fall I hope) and 180 partitions for elk.   Another nice thing about the 308 is you can load up to 250 gr if you need to. 

One of each is the only best answer!

 

[Zachary]

The .308 is to the U.S. like what the 6.5x55 is to Europe.  That said, they are both fine cartridges.  Keep in mind that more moose are taken in Scandanavian countries with the 6.5x55 than any other round.

Zachary

[Coyote Hunter]

The .308 is to the U.S. like what the 6.5x55 is to Europe.  That said, they are both fine cartridges.  Keep in mind that more moose are taken in Scandanavian countries with the 6.5x55 than any other round.

Zachary

That is an often quoted statistic and I have no reason to doubt that it is true.

The more interesting statistic to me, however, is the number of lost animals per 1,000 shot with the 6.5x55 compared to those lost per 1,000 with something like a 8x57 or a 9.3x62.  Unfortunately we will never know.

As much as I appreciate the characteristics of the 6.5's in general I would much prefer a .30-06 ( or a number of other cartridges) for moose.

[Cement Man]

I collect Swedish Mausers and also have a Ruger 77MkII and a TCR 87 in the 6.5 Swede.  It's is one of my favorite cartridges (probably a 3 -way tie between the .308, '06, and the Swede).  I have a close friend in Sweden who I visit regularly and he has often suggested that perhaps he could arrange for me to participate in a "hunting party" and hunt moose there. It sounds like a great idea, but I have never seriously considered it as I don't get enough hunting time in the good old USA, and I'd rather exploit the opportunites here (and keep that meat) before going overseas to hunt.  Also, to be honest, I do believe it would cause some real marital fireworks if I tried to pull that one off.  Finally, hunting to me is an activity that I don't want to do according to "group rules".

Nonetheless, I think there are some differences in the way the Swedes hunt that seemingly contribute to the apparent effectiveness of a given cartridge. I believe that they take some marksmanship (including a moving target) tests prior to qualifying for a hunting license, and their hunting "ettiquette" is far more reserved than ours in general.  Multiple shots are rather looked down upon, wounded game, lost meat are serious transgressions, or at least social disgraces. Also, they do hunt in "parties" from stands, and use radios. (So there are very critical witnesses to sloppy shooting.) I suspect that these things have an influence on the overall success rate of the 6.5 cartridge, as opposed to our generally more "freestyle" methods.  They should, anyway, I think.

That said, would I hunt moose with a 6.5 in the US or Canada?  Absolutely.  But like CH says - it would fall in line after my '06.